Last week, Santa and Colton Police Department came rolling up not in his traditional sleigh with reindeer in tow, but in their SWAT vehicle, lights and sirens blaring, to announce their arrival. No they weren’t on the hunt for the Grinch who stole Christmas but rather to come and bestow a huge surprise for one of their own. Colton resident Ari Villalobos and family were pleasantly surprised by the generosity of CPD. You see Ariana Villalobos isn’t your average 14 year-old. She is a brave warrior battling for her life. Ari was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 14. Doctors found a brain tumor the size of a tangerine lying in the middle of both hemispheres of the brain. The tumor attached to blood vessels, making it impossible to be surgically removed at that time.
Ari’s friends and family have stood by her side throughout her journey. Ari’s mother and father, Nikki and Chris, live by faith and that belief activates the blessing. “You don't have to see it to believe; you believe by faith, and know "it is finished" at the cross,” Nikki and Chris said. “God’s glory will be manifested through Ari's story and she will live.”
The department had asked the family if Ari, who is a freshman at Grand Terrace High School, would be waiting outside her home, as they had a surprise for her. Her parents agreed. The front yard of the Villalobos home is a testament to their faith in God and the fact that He is able to heal their daughter completely. Even at such a difficult time as this, the yard is full of decorations celebrating the true reason for the season and paying homage to the birth of Christ. Ari’s support team: mom and dad, along with her 3 siblings Elijah, Noah, Isabella, grandparents: Henry and Gina Cruz and Hope and John Villalobos, and aunt Kim Valverde, along with a host of others have been constant pillars for her with prayer, care, and whatever the family needs to triumph through this difficult journey.
Ariana’s grandmother, Gina Cruz shared a testimony to Ari’s character,” When Ari was a young girl she would take her toys from her toy box, wrap them and they would go to hotels or homeless shelters and give them to kids in need.” She also shared, “a couple years ago, there was a little girl fighting cancer and Ariana cut over 13 inches of her hair to give to the little girl.” As you can tell this girl has a beautiful, giving heart and what she has sown, she will most definitely reap. Misty Kershner of CPD stated “the department decided they wanted to help this family out and hopefully help them have a happy holiday.”
With a host of police vehicles in tow, Santa arrived in the SWAT armored vehicle with a sack full of goodies and huge box of presents for the grateful Villalobos family. Police officers, detectives, police explorers, administrators, and even the newly installed Chief were there to witness the hope and joy brought to the family. Ari’s mom and dad expressed their thankfulness to the department and asked that everyone continue to keep Ari and her family in prayer as they are believing for the miracle that is already done by faith.
If you would like to support Ari throughout her fight, donate on her GoFundMe, “Help Ari terminate the tumor” at: https://www.gofundme.com/help-ari-terminate-the-tumor.